Fantasy Football Injury Reports for Quarterbacks - Updates for Aaron Rodgers, Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, Kenny Pickett, more

The 2023 season is now a month old, and there seem to be more injuries to the quarterback position than usual. Fantasy managers will have to adjust, especially in two-QB or superflex formats.  Our fantasy football injury reports for quarterbacks as of Thursday, October 5 will give you the latest news on the statuses of Aaron Rodgers, Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, Kenny Pickett, and more.

Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football. Now that the regular season has begun, fantasy managers should stay locked into the latest injury headlines.

To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news.

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Aaron Rodgers Injury Update

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Achilles), who is three weeks removed from surgery to fix a torn Achilles, said on Tuesday that he's "well ahead of the normal protocols" and still believes he can return this year. "There's nothing normal about how I'm attacking this rehab," Rodgers said on The Pat McAfee Show. "The common practice is about six weeks in a boot, and I was in a shoe in 13 days."

Rodgers also said he's dealing with a deltoid issue, the main ligament on the inner side, which explains why he's wearing an ankle brace. A typical recovery is six to nine months, although medical experts have said it's possible to return in four to five months. On the short end of the timetable, Rodgers could return in mid-January. The regular season ends on Jan. 7.

Joe Burrow Injury Update

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (calf) said he's optimistic about his calf injury after Sunday was the best he's felt this year after a game. Health-wise he was feeling good, but Burrow couldn't have felt good about his performance in the Week 4 loss to the Tennessee Titans. In the loss, Burrow went 20-for-30 for just 165 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. It was the third time in four games he didn't have a touchdown pass and the second time he was held under 200 yards passing.

The 26-year-old's calf issue has severely limited his mobility, but the good news is he continues to feel better. Fantasy managers will continue to wait for the good Burrow to show up. We wouldn't blame you for benching him until that happens in single-QB fantasy leagues.

Deshaun Watson Injury Update

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said he's "optimistic" that quarterback Deshaun Watson's (shoulder) throwing shoulder won't be a factor going forward and that it "will heal in the short-term." The Browns have their bye in Week 5, so all expectations are that Watson will be good to go in Week 6 on Oct. 15 to face the San Francisco 49ers after he was held out of the Week 4 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

The 28-year-old signal-caller had been cleared last Sunday, but the Browns took the cautious approach and held him out with the bye looming. Watson should be available to fantasy managers next week, but he'll be more of a QB2 in that matchup against one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Kenny Pickett Injury Update

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (knee) suffered a bone bruise to his knee in the Week 4 loss to the Houston Texans. His status is up in the air against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5, but the second-year signal-caller said, "I'll be ready to go by Sunday." Pickett was wearing a bulky brace on his left knee during practice on Wednesday. For now, there's good reason to be optimistic about his availability for the AFC North contest, but it's too early in the week to take his word for it.

Even if Pickett does play, he should remain on the bench in fantasy football. The Ravens have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to quarterback this season, and the Steelers' offense is one of the worst units in the NFL. If Pickett's mobility is limited by his injury, this game has the chance to get ugly quickly. Mitch Trubisky will draw the start if Pickett is ruled out.

Derek Carr Injury Update

New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen said that quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) threw a bit more in practice on Wednesday. Carr was limited but "things look good in terms of where he's at this week." Barring a setback, Carr should be good to go to face the New England Patriots on the road in Week 5. The 32-year-old veteran surprisingly played in the Week 4 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday despite suffering an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder the previous week.

Carr didn't look great playing through injury, though, going 23-for-37 for 127 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the loss to the Bucs last weekend. However, he will get a matchup this weekend against a banged-up Patriots defense that just lost two of their best players to serious injuries.

Matthew Stafford Injury Update

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (hip) will be a full participant in Wednesday's practice despite some aches he picked up in the Week 4 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts, according to head coach Sean McVay. "He's full go. He's as tough as it gets. We're not going to be running any zone read or anything like that today, so he'll be in good shape." The 35-year-old is dealing with a bruised hip and was seen limping in the Week 4 win last Sunday.

However, it's not an injury that should keep Stafford sidelined this weekend in a sneaky good matchup against the undefeated Eagles. Stafford could also be getting his top target back for the first time this year in wide receiver Cooper Kupp (hamstring).

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